I had a piece of that candy at the Art Institute in Chicago - the artwork is called: "Untitled (Portrait of Ross in L.A.)." Felix's partner, Ross Laycock, died of an AIDS-related illness in 1991.
http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/art…
"Viewers are encouraged to take a piece of candy, and the diminishing amount parallels Ross’s weight loss and suffering prior to his death. Gonzalez-Torres stipulated that the pile should be continuously replenished, thus metaphorically granting perpetual life."
I still don't get it, how could they censor an art exhibition? I mean what self respecting gallery wouldn't just laugh and go about setting it up instead of hiding it?
@2 - It was at the Smithsonian not a private gallery, and it's not the first time exhibits have been censored in DC due to politics. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corcoran_Ga…
http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/art…
"Viewers are encouraged to take a piece of candy, and the diminishing amount parallels Ross’s weight loss and suffering prior to his death. Gonzalez-Torres stipulated that the pile should be continuously replenished, thus metaphorically granting perpetual life."
I took a piece of candy and kept it for several months before finally unwrapping and eating it. I'll never forget the taste.